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Kemer

Kemer and its surroundings are not only famous as a holiday resort; the region is also still popular for its oranges orchards. Especially in the month of April, the unique scent of orange blossom lingers in the air.

The slopes of the Toros Mountains and the Mediterranean surround the village. With a coastline of 52 km Kemer is one of Turkey’s most important touristic areas.
Today’s city centre was called “Old Village” in former times. The name “Kemer” originates of a 23 km long wall (“kemer”= belt), which was constructed in 1916 -1917 to protect the village from the floodwater coming from the mountains.
Until the 1960s Kemer was reachable only from the seaside, by boat, as were many coastline villages in Turkey during this time. The road along the mountains was constructed later. In the 1980s - during the years of developing tourism - the region prospered with a project financed by the World Bank.

But despite a developing tourism, the area is still full of nature and the blue of the Mediterranean seems to mix up with the green of the pine trees. Only the coastline of this region of Antalya bears many small bays and small natural harbours and the sea is bright blue and clear.

Marina
Kemer is also popular for yacht tourism, probably because of the combination of temperate climate and the shelter provided by our beautiful mountains, making it one of the best places for wintering yachts.
Yacht charter and day trips are available and from cafés and restaurants close by you have a good view to the yachts anchored at Kemer Marina.http://www.kemerturkizmarina.com/

Moonlight Beach – Ayışığı Park
Located on the right side of the Yacht harbour this area offers the only sandy beach with various cafes and bars providing sun loungers. At some spots the use of the sun loungers may be free of charge according to consumption.

Yörük Park
The Yörük- Nomad’s Park is situated between Marina and Moonlight Beach. Along with the adjoining bay it is a charming and delightful spot hidden under old pine trees, where you may relax having a typical Nomad’s drink, “Ayran”.
The word Yuruk (Yörük) derives from the Turkish word for walking (yurumek)http://www.yorukparki.com.tr/eng/index.html

Diving
Kemer is also a popular destination of those who love diving. The clarity of the water, allowing visibility of 25 metres, is very suitable and also there are various reefs in the area.
At the entrance of the opening at Gelidonya Point there is an ancient wreck, some 3,500 years old. The ancient amphorae recovered from here are on display on the Bodrum Underwater Museum. The shipwreck is still there and in order to protect ancient items diving with oxygen tanks are not allowed.
Listed among the world’s top 100 dive sites is the wreck of “Paris 2”, a warship from World war first. An artillery unit sank the ship in 1917. Since the wreck was discovered in 1995, it has become an important attraction for divers.

Shopping
Kemer’s most fashionable shopping street is the Liman Caddesi, which leads directly to the Yacht Harbour and Moonlight Beach. In many of the shops prices a not fixed and the best shopping result is question of your “haggle” capacities. Take your time
In Antalya there are several big shopping malls featuring international brands.

Events
There are some major events organized in Kemer during various periods of the year. We will try to provide up to date information here and also on Facebook. Very famous is the Enduro race “Sea to Sky”, which is organized by a major sponsor. All the events and information about them is due to changes and has to be considered only as general information. Please contact us for further details.

HistoryIdyropolis
The name of the city located here in ancient times was Idyropolis. Idyropolis was founded in the 3rd century BC where the current Ayışığı (Moonlight) Park is located. Archaeologists from the Antalya Museum excavated it in 1976 and 1977. There are remains of Byzantine walls, doorways and a church. Part of a mosaic covering the floor of the church can still be seen.

Seljuk Hunting Lodge
On the right hand side of the forest area in the entrance to the town from the Antalya direction, there is the Seljuk era Av Köşkü (700 years old Hunting Lodge). It is hidden in the forest and it is the only example of Seljuk architecture in the region.